Filled-bag-sewing machine



Jan. 4, 1927.

R. M. :a'OPER FILLED BAG SEWING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 1,1927. ,613,140

R. M. SOPER FILLED BAG SEWING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1923 2 Sheets-Shgen 2 Patented Jan. 4, 1927.

UNITE STATES ROY MELTON SOPER, OF ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOB T0 UNION SPECIAL MACHINE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLILJOIS, A COBPCBATION OF ILLINOIS.

FILLED-BAG-SEW'ING MACHINE.

Application filed November 5. 1923.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in a filled bag sewing machine, and more particularly to a treadle operated mechanism for controlling a part which is capable of being shifted vertically on the frame of the filled bag sewing machine toward and from the treadle.

An object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the above character wherein the treadle has a continuous connection with the part shifted, and wherein the connecting devices are so arranged as to permit the part to be shifted to be moved bodily toward and from the treadle without disturbing said connecting devices. I

A further object is to provide a filled bag sewing machine having a vertically adjustable sewing head controlled by a transmitter, with means operated by a treadle for operating the transmitter, wherein said connecting means is so arranged that the sewing head may be raised and lowered without in any way disturbing or disconnecting the operating means between the treadle and the transmitter lever.

In the drawings which show by way of illustration one embodiment of the invention Figure 1 is a side view of a portion of a filled bag sewing machine embodying the improvements Fig. 2 is a similar view of the upper portion thereof from the other side of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the bracket arm for supporting the idler at the head of the column, and

Fig. 4 is a detail showing the treadle shaft, the idler 24:, and the arm on the treadle shaft which carries said idler.

The invention as illustrated is applied to the control of the sewing head of a filled bag sewing machine. The machine consists of a frame, preferably of the column type, and on this column is mounted an adjustable bracket which carries the sewing head. The sewing head overhangs a table on which the filled bag is supported and along which it may be moved during the stitching of the mouth of the bag. The bracket is adjustable vertically so as to properly position the sewing head to close the mouth of the bag, regardless of the height of the bag. The sewing mechanism is operated by means of a motor which is mounted on the bracket so Serial No. 672,891.

as to move up and down with the sewing head. Between the sewing head and the motor is a transmitter which includes the usual clutch and an operating lever therefor. This operating lever of the transmitter is likewise mounted on the bracket and moves up and down with the same. There is a treadle mounted on the base of the machine for controlling the transmitter. A. flexible connection is attached at one end to said lever of the transmitter, then passes over an idler on the treadle, or a part movable therewith, thence over an idler on the frame above the transmitter and is finally connected to the bracket carrying the sewing head. lVhen the treadle is depressed, the idler moving therewith will be moved downwardly and this will pull down on the flexible connection and the end of the flexible connection which is attached to the bracket remains substantially fixed, while the other end of the flexible connection has to move and this causes the transmitter lever to be depressed. When the treadle is released, the transmitter lever, of course, will be moved by its usual spring in the other direction. When it is desired to adjust the sewing head up and down on the column, these treadle connections do not have to be disturbed in any way whatever, as the flexible member running over the idlers will turn on the idlers. The sewing head will approach one idler when it moves away from the other, so that slack will be given up to this flexible member from one idler as it is required for the other.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the invention is shown as applied to a filled bag sewing machine comprising a supporting column 1 on which is mounted a sleeve 2. This sleeve has a forwardly projecting bracket 3 on which is mounted a sewing head l. Also mounted on the bracket 3 is a swinging arm 5 pivoted at 6 to the bracket, and on this arm is mounted a motor 7. A rod 8 extends from the bracket to the arm 5 and serves as a means for adjusting the arm to take up the slack in the belt as will be here inafter-mcre fully referred to. The sewing head is driven by means of a pulley 9 which is of the usual construction. Intermediate the sewing head and the motor is a transmitter 10 which is also of the usual construction. Said transmitter includes a vertical shaft 11 carrying a pulley 12 and a belt 13 running over the pulley of the transmitter also engages the pulley 9 of the sewing head. Said transmitter also carries a belt wheel 14: and a belt 15 runs over said last-named belt wheel and a belt wheel 16 on the motor. The belt wheel let on the transmitter is connected to the transmitter shaft by the usual clutch members, and these clutch members are controlled by a lever 1? usually referred to as a transmitter lever. Said transmitter lever not only controls the clutch members, but also a brake for stopping the moving parts when said clutch members are disconnected. This transmitter lever 17 is pivoted at 18 to the bracket-and is provided with an arm 19 which controls the clutch members and an arm 20 which operates as a brake for the driven member of the transmitter. The motor 'i' as above noted, is carried by the arm 5, and this arm is capable of adjustment through the rod 8, so as to move the motor toward and from the transmitter after taking up slack in the belt 15. At the base of the machine there is a treadle 21 which is mounted on a shaft 22 carried in suitable bearings 23 in the base of the machine. This treadle 21 is located on the farther side of the shaft 22 as viewed in Fig. 1. Said shaft 22 is provided with a projecting arm 23 on which is mounted an idler 24. Said shaft also has an arm 25. A spring 26 is connected at one end to this arm 25 and at its other end to a rod or other suitable means 27 fixed to the column 1 of the machine. A. flexible connection 28 is attached at 29 to the transmitter lever 1?. This flexible connection runs over an idler 2st, and thence extends upwardly and runs over the idler 30 attached to a bracket on the upper end of the column. The flexible connection after passing over this idler 30 extends downwardly and is connected to an arm 31 carried by the bracket 3. It will thus be seen thatwhen the treadle is depressed, the idler 2 1 will be depressed, and this will pull down on the flexible connection, and inasmuch as the upper end of the flexible connection is attached to fixed part on the bracket, and the idler 30 is mounted on a fixed bracket, the downward pull of the idler 24 will depress the transmitter arm. The purpose of the spring 2 is to keep the flexible connection running over the idlers taut, so that as soon as the treadle is depressed, the transmitter lever will be actuated as above stated. When the treadle is released, the transmitter lever will be operated in the usual manner for disconnecting the clutch members, and when so operated, it will turn the shaft 23 and raise the treadle to normal position.

The bracket carrying the sewing head is adapted to be adjusted up and down on the column. This is brought about by means of a vertical shaft 32 which is mounted in suitable bearings carried by the column, one at the upper end of the column and the other bearing at a point below the extreme lower range of adjustment of the sleeve. Clihi-s vertical shaft isthreaded and passes through a lug 33 carried by the bracket. The vertical shaft can be rotated by means of a hand wheel 3d suitably connected by means of gears with this vertical shaft 32. Vi hen this hand wheel is rotated in one direction, the sleeve is raised, and when rotated in the other direction, the sleeve will be lowered. It will readily be seen that this sleeve can be raised and lowered without in any way disturbing the treadle connections to the transmitter lever. If the sleeve is raised, then of course, the part of the flexible connection between the sleeve and the idler 30 will give up slack, but at the same time, the portion of the flexible connection between the idler 2d and the sleeve will take up this slack, so that the sleeve as it is raised and lowered causes this flexible connection to run freely over the two idlers. It will be noted that there has been provided a continuous and constant connection between the treadle and the transmitter lever, and this connection is so arranged that when the transmitter lever moved bodily, it will not in any way disturb this flexible connection or require any disconnection of parts, and again connectingup of parts, or any adjustmentof parts,it automatically takes care of itself.

While the invention has been shown as applied to a. transmitter for a sewing head operated by a motor moving up and down with the sewing head, it will be understood, of course, that the transmitter may be opcrated by a belt from any suitable source of power which, however, will be preferably arranged so as to permit the sewing iead to be adjusted vertically without requiring the changing of the driving connections.

In a filled bag sewing machine, it is often necessary to raise or lower the head quickly, passing from one bag to another, or to escape holes in the bag as the line of stitching is being formed. The means described above. is for the purpose of permittingthis quick adjustment of the sewing head without requiring the operator to stop the machine or to make any connections or disconnections in any way whatever.

While the invention has been shown explained in connection with a transmittelever for controlling the. sewing head. it will readily be seen that it is equally applicab e to any movable part on the sewing head, as for example, the shifting of the presser foot; the operating of a thread cutter, or any other suitable mechanism which has a bodily movement up and down with the head and which is required to be operated from the treadle. It will also be understood that while the treadle has been described in detail, that it is intended this word treadle should be used in its broadest sense to cover the knee-operated member. The only essential feature is that this controlling member has a fixed operating position relative to the supporting column, while the controlled part has a movement up and down on the column.

While the treadle controlled mechanism has also been described in its use in connection with a sewing head, will readily be understood that it mi ht equally be used in connection with a shirtable part in connection with the carrier for the filled bag, as the carrier for the filled bag is likewise adjustable vertically from one set position to another. In case of such adjustment, it is desirable to have the treadle 0r knee-operated devices, so arranged as to permit the carrier to be readily moved up and down without requiring any re-adjustment or shifting any connections between the shiftable part on the carrier and the treadle.

It is also obvious that minor changes in the arrangement of the idlers may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, the essential feature being that this flexible member operated by the trcadle shall be so associated with idlers as to permit the free movement of the shiftable part up and down relative to the treadle and without disturbing the operative connections between the treadle and said shiftable part.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A filled bag sewing machine including in combination, a supporting base, a frame carried thereby, a support vertically adjustable on said frame, a shift-able part mounted on said support, a treadl-e mounted on said base, operating connections between said treadle and said shiftable part including a flexible member and idlers so arranged that the depressing of the treadle will shift said shiftable part and so that said support can be adjusted vertically without in any way disturbing the operating connections between the treadle and the shiftable part.

2. A filled bag sewing machine including in combination, a supporting base, a column rising therefrom, a sleeve supported on said column, means for raising and lowering said sleeve on said column, a shiftable part mounted on said sleeve, a treadle mounted on the base, operating connections between said treadle and said shiftable part including a flexible member, and idlers so arranged that the depressing of. the treadle will operate said shiftable part and so that said support can be adjusted vertically without in any way disturbing the operating connections between the treadle and the shiftable part.

3. A filled bag sewing machine including in combination, a supporting base, a frame carried thereby, bracket carried by said frame, means for raising and lowering said bracket on said frame, a sewing head carried by said bracket, a shiftable part mounted on said bracket for controlling the operation of the sewing head, a treadle mounted on the base, operating connections be tween said treadle and said shiftable part including a flexible member and idlers so arranged that the depressing of the treadle will siift said shift-able part and sothat said support can be adjusted vertically without in any way disturbing the operating connections between the treadle and the shift able part.

4-. A filled bag sewing machine including in combination, a supporting base, a column rising therefrom, a sleeve mounted on said column, means for raising and lowering said sleeve, a bracket attached to said sleeve, a sewing head mounted on said bracket, a shiftable part mounted on said bracket for controlling the operation of the sewing head, a treadle mounted on the base, and operating connections between the treadle and shiftable part including a flexible member and idlers so arranged that the depressing of the treadle ill operate said shiftable part and so that said sleeve can be adjusted vertically without in any way disturbing the operating connections between the treadle and the shiftable part.

A filled bag sewing machine including in combination, a supporting base, a column rising therefrom, a sleeve mounted on said column, means for raising and lowering said sleeve, a bracket attached to said sleeve, a sewing head mounted on said bracket, a transmitter mounted on said bracket for controlling the operation of the sewing head, said transmitter having a shiftable lever, a treadle mounted on the base, flexible con nections and idlers between said treadle and said transmitter lever arranged so that the depressing of the trcadle will depress the lever and so that the bracket carrying the transmitter may be adjusted vertically without disturbing the operating connections between the transmitter lever and the treadle.

(3. A filled bag sewing machine including in combination, a supporting base, a frame carried thereby, a support vertically adjustable on said frame, a shiftable part mounted on said support, a treadle mounted on the base, shaft operated by said treadle, an arm projecting from said shaft, an idler carried by said arm, an idler carried by the frame and disposed above the shiftable part, a flexible member attached to the shiftable part extending over said idler at the upper part of the frame, thence over the idler on the treadle and connected to the frame at a point above the treadle, whereby said flexible member will run over the idlers freely when the support is raised and lowered and whereby when the treadle is depressed, with the idler carried thereby, said shiftable part will be depressed.

7. A filled bag sewing machine including in combination, a supporting base, acolumn rising therefrom, a sleeve mounted on the column, means for raising and lowering the sleeve, a sewing head carried by the sleeve, a transmitter mounted on the sleeve controlling the sewing head, atreadle-mounted on the base, a shaft to which the treadle is connected, an arm projecting from the shaft and carrying an idler, an idler mounted on the column adjacent the upper end thereof,

a flexible member attached to the transmitter lever extending over the idler at the top of the column, thence over the idler on the treadle shaft'and connected to the frame at justable' on said frame, a shiftable part mounted on said support, manually operable means carried by said supporting base, operative connections between said manually operated means and said shiftable part including a flexible member, one end of which is connected to said shiftable part and the other end of which is connected to said vertically adjust-able support carrying said shiftable part, idlers, one of which is arranged above said vertically adjustable support, and the other of which is arranged below said support over which said flexible member extends, and means actuated by said manually operable means for shifting one of said idlers bodily for moving said shift able part.

9. A filled bag sewing machine including in combination, a supporting base, a frame carried thereby, a support vertically adjustable on said frame, a shift-able part mounted on said support, a treadle mounted on said base, operating connections between said treadle and said shiftable part including a flexible member, one end of which is connected to said shiftable part and the other end of which is connectedto said adjustable support, an idler mounted on said treadle 123d movable therewith over which said flexible connection passes, and a second idler carried by theframe above said vertically adjustable support over which the flexible member passes whereby said supporting head may be adjusted without disturbing the operating connection between the treadle and the shiftable part, said shiftable part being moved by the depressing of the-treadle and the movement of the idler carried thereby.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

nor MELTON SOPER. 

